Gloucester v Newcastle Falcons: Aviva Premiership preview
Last Updated: 24/04/15 4:26pm
European Challenge Cup finalists Gloucester make several changes as they return to domestic action against Newcastle on Saturday.
Although the squad remains much the same, the Cherry and Whites have made a number of changes to the starting XV with next weekend’s final with Edinburgh in mind.
There are three changes to the back line with Brendan Macken outside Billy Twelvetrees in the centre and Dan Robson and Billy Burns forming the half-back pairing.
A further five alterations come in the pack where Yann Thomas, Darren Dawidiuk and Sila Puafisi will make up the front row and Elliott Stooke and Ross Moriarty will start in the second row and back row, respectively.
There are four changes for the visitors as the Falcons target a repeat of their 20-10 victory in November’s reverse fixture.
Alex Tait comes in on the wing as Chris Harris moves to outside centre in place of Adam Powell while the Italian international Josh Furno takes the place of Calum Green in the second row and Will Welch and Ally Hogg make welcome returns to the line-up following injury.
Gloucester Rugby: 15 Charlie Sharples, 14 Jonny May, 13 Brendan Macken, 12 Billy Twelvetrees (c), 11 Henry Purdy, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Dan Robson; 1 Yann Thomas, 2 Darren Dawidiuk, 3 Sila Puafisi, 4 Elliott Stooke, 5 Mariano Galarza, 6 Ross Moriarty, 7 Matt Kvesic, 8 Sione Kalamafoni.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 John Afoa, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 James Hook, 23 Bill Meakes.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Ruki Tipuna; 1 Rob Vickers, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 Josh Furno, 5 Kane Thompson, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 8 Ally Hogg.
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Eric Fry, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Will Witty, 20 Sean Robinson, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Andy Tuilagi, 23 Adam Powell.